Protecting the rights of the people is the primary function of government. If elected, I promise that any piece of legislation that I sponsor or support will;

Government does not create jobs, but it should foster an environment where they can grow. Lower taxes and simpler regulations will allow entrepreneurs to take full advantage of their talents and grow the economy. Our tax code is the most complicated in the world and even the IRS admits that they only give correct answers 67% of the time. We need bold leadership in Washington to reform our tax code and lessen the burden on working families

Nearly half of the Hampton Roads economy is driven by the military and the number one priority of the federal government is national defense. If we are going to keep those jobs here and keep the country safe, we need to elect a member of congress who has an extensive background in military affairs and can hit the ground running on day one. My 31 years of Navy experience, four of which were at the Pentagon in legislative affairs, make me uniquely qualified to;

In 2007 only 34% of Virginia 8th graders were considered proficient in reading according to a national assessment of educational progress. In Norfolk High Schools, 1 in 2 students fail their freshman year. We need bold action to reform our educational system so that our next generation can be competitive in a global environment.

Achieving energy independence is not something that can be achieved overnight. The transition from fossil fuels may take as long as 100 years, but with smart planning and investment now, we can give our children the gift of clean renewable energy.

Large oil companies have misled the government and the American people into believing that they are capable of properly maintaining and protecting their current oil rigs. While I firmly believe the technology exists to drill safely for oil off our shores, this recent disaster has shown that the large oil companies cannot be trusted to use best management practices and the latest safety procedures. I therefore propose that prior to any further construction of offshore oil platforms we;